Expandable and contractible barrier

ABSTRACT

An expandable barrier has segments that can expand and contract. When the segments are expanded to a use position, the barrier can be stable. When the segments are contracted to a transport or storage position, the barrier occupies a relatively small amount of space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a barrier and, moreparticularly, to an expandable and contractible barrier that can beportable.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Barricades are often used to prevent access to unsafe areas orotherwise control pedestrian or vehicle traffic. Known conventionalbarricades typically do not provide a desired combination oftransportability, ease of storage, and visibility.

[0005] Many barricades are difficult to transport. For example, somebarricades must be disassembled for transport. Consequently, thosebarricades require significant time and labor for disassembly andassembly of the barricade. Some barricades have been provided withwheels. For example, a smaller barricade has been provided with fourwheels that support the barricade. That barricade is difficult totransport over bumps or thresholds and can be prone to tipping due toits high center of gravity. As another example, a large and heavyA-frame type barricade has been provided with four wheels, but thosewheels appear to be intended for positioning and not for transport.Moreover, it would be difficult to transport more than one of the largeA-frame barricade segments at a given time. Thus, the presently knownbarricades do not provide the desired transportability.

[0006] Barricades that facilitate storage have not provided the desireddegree of visibility. For example, a conventional barricade has ascissors-like construction that permits it to change from an expanded,use position to a contracted, storage position. Such a barricade canlack a high degree of visibility. For example, it can have large areasof empty space between the scissors-like barricade pieces and the heightof the scissors-like barricade pieces decreases as the pieces areexpanded. Thus, it is more difficult for the public to notice thebarricade. Such a barricade also may lack room for displaying safetymessages on the barricade itself. A separate safety sign may be attachedto the barricade, but this increases cost and effort. Also, the sign mayhave to be removed to permit folding of the barricade, and then beseparately stored so that it does not become damaged. Consequently, thepresently known barricades do not provide the desired combination ofease of storage and visibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An aspect of the present invention relates to an expandablebarrier comprising a first end segment having a widthwise direction, anda plurality of middle segments each having a widthwise direction. Themiddle segments are connected so as to expand to an open position inwhich the widthwise direction of at least one of the middle segments issubstantially perpendicular to the widthwise direction of the endsegment and contract to a closed position in which the widthwisedirections of the middle segments are substantially parallel to thewidthwise direction of the first end segment.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an expandablebarrier comprising a plurality of segments connected so as to expand toan open position and contract to a closed position, and an informationdisplay surface on at least one of the segments. The segments areconnected such that more of the information display surface becomesvisible as the segments are expanded to the open position. The barrierfurther includes a rolling member connected to at least one of theplurality of segments such that during transport of the barrier therolling member engages a surface supporting the barrier.

[0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to aportable, expandable barrier comprising a plurality of segmentsconnected so as to expand to an open position and contract to a closedposition, and a rolling member connected to at least one of theplurality of segments such that the segments can pivot about the rollingmember between a rest position in which at least a portion of at leastone of the segments engages a surface supporting the barrier, and aportable position in which the rolling member engages the surface.

[0010] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to aportable, expandable barrier comprising a plurality of segments eachhaving a depth and a width. The segments are connected so as to expandto an open position in which a length of the segments is substantially asum of the widths of the segments, and to contract to a closed positionin which a length of the segments is substantially a sum of the depthsof the segments. The barrier further includes a rolling member connectedto the segments such that during transport of the barrier the rollingmember engages a surface supporting the barrier.

[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to aportable, expandable barrier comprising a plurality of segmentsconnected so as to expand to an open position and contract to a closedposition, each of the segments having a height dimension defined betweena top and a bottom of the segment, wherein the segments havesubstantially the same height in the open and closed positions. Thebarrier further includes an information display surface on at least oneof the segments, and a rolling member connected to at least one of thesegments such that during transport of the barrier the rolling memberengages a surface supporting the barrier.

[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to anexpandable barrier comprising first and second end segments, a rollingmember positioned on at least one of the first and second end segmentssuch that during transport of the barrier the rolling member engages asurface supporting the barrier, and a plurality of middle segmentsdisposed between the first and second end segments and connected so asto expand to an open position and contract to a closed position. Themiddle segments are configured to engage the surface when in the openposition.

[0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are exemplary andexplanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferredembodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve toexplain principles of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a barrieraccording to the present invention in an expanded position.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front view of the barrier of FIG. 1 in the expandedposition.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the barrier of FIG. 1 in the expandedposition.

[0018]FIG. 3A shows a stop spacer in a segment of the barrier of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 1 in thecontracted position.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a front view of the barrier of FIG. 1 in the contractedposition.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a front view of a middle segment of the barrier of FIG.1.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a front view of a bridge segment of the barrier of FIG.1.

[0023]FIG. 8 is an inner side view of an end segment of the barrier ofFIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 9 is an outer side view of the barrier of FIG. 1 in thecontracted position and pivoted for transport.

[0025]FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the endsegment and a rolling member of the barrier of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a positioningmechanism on the barrier of FIG. 1.

[0027]FIG. 12 is a side view of a member for holding a securing memberof the barrier of FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a barrieraccording to the present invention in an expanded position.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a front view of the barrier of FIG. 13 in the expandedposition.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 13 in acontracted position.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a side view of the barrier of FIG. 13 in the contractedposition.

[0032]FIG. 17 is a plan view of the barrier of FIG. 13 in the contractedposition.

[0033]FIG. 18 is a front view of a segment of the barrier of FIG. 13.

[0034]FIG. 19 is a front view of another segment of the barrier of FIG.13.

[0035]FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the connection betweensegments of the barrier of FIG. 13.

[0036]FIG. 21 is an exploded, perspective view of the connection betweensegments of the barrier of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same referencenumbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0038] FIGS. 1 to 12 show a first preferred embodiment of an expandablebarrier 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, thebarrier includes end segments 20, middle segments 30, positioningmechanisms 40, and rolling members 50. The barrier 10 can move betweenan expanded position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a contracted positionshown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0039] The end segments 20 are preferably located at opposite ends ofthe barrier 10. The end segments 20 can stabilize and support thebarrier 10 when it is in the expanded position. The segments 20 also cansupport the barrier 10 when it is in the contracted position tofacilitate transport of the barrier 10.

[0040] Each end segment 20 preferably includes a peripheral member 21extending around the periphery of the end segment 20, cross members 22,and openings between the cross members 22. Alternatively, the areascorresponding to the openings can be closed, i.e., filled with material.If those areas are closed, they preferably are recessed, i.e., they havea lesser thickness than surrounding portions of the end segment 20, toincrease rigidity. A handle portion 24 can be provided at the top of theend segment 20, as shown, or at other locations, such as the side. Eachend segment 20 preferably also includes flared portions 25, whichenhance stability. The flared portions 25 also can be configured toreceive the rolling members 50, as explained below. The peripheralmember 21, cross members 22, handle portion 24, and flared portions 25are preferably hollow, plastic members that are all formed as oneintegral member. The end segments 20 can be manufactured by conventionalprocesses, such as high or low pressure injection molding or blowmolding.

[0041] Each end segment 20 preferably includes a relatively largeinformation display area 23. The information display area 23 can havedimensions of, for example, six inches high by nine inches wide. Thisarea 23 can be used, for example, to display warning information, suchas “CAUTION” or “DO NOT ENTER.” Information also could be displayed onthe cross members 22.

[0042] Each end segment 20 has a width W, a depth D, and a height H (seeFIGS. 2 and 8). Preferably, the width W is eighteen inches, the depth Dis one and three quarter inches, and the height H is thirty-nine inches.In the preferred embodiment, the end segments 20 do not have a constantdepth along the widthwise direction. Instead, the end segment 20 ishollowed out to the depth of the directly attached middle segment 30(the depth of the ribs 27 is smaller than the depth of the edge section28 by the depth of the directly attached middle segment 30) to receivethe directly attached middle segment 30 so that it can nest in the endsegment 20. Alternatively, only a portion, e.g., one half, of each endsegment 20 can be hollowed out to receive the directly attached middlesegment 30. In such a configuration, the end segment 20 can beconstructed to facilitate positioning of the attached middle segment 30by, for example, providing a step via the change in depth of the endsegment 20, which serves as a stop for inhibiting the middle segment 30from opening beyond a desired position.

[0043] The middle segments 30 can be located between the end segments20. The middle segments 30 facilitate the expansion and contraction ofthe barrier 10 and can provide large areas for information display.

[0044] Each middle segment 30 preferably includes a peripheral member 31extending around the periphery of the middle segment 30, cross members32, and openings between the cross members 32. The areas correspondingto the openings, however, can be closed, i.e., filled with material. Ifthose areas are closed, they preferably are recessed, i.e., they have alesser thickness than surrounding portions of the middle segment 30, toincrease rigidity. The peripheral member 31 and cross members 32 arepreferably hollow, plastic members that are all formed as one integralmember. The middle segments 30 can be manufactured by conventionalprocesses, such as high or low pressure injection molding or blowmolding.

[0045] The middle segments 30 are preferably connected to each other andthe end segments 20 by hinge structures 33. The hinge structures 33 caninclude a pin 34 and a pin receiver 35 (see FIGS. 6 to 8). The hingestructures 33 can be positioned on alternating sides of the middlesegments 30, as shown in FIG. 3, to allow the middle segments 30 toexpand and contract by an accordion fold. This allows for greatflexibility of the barrier 10.

[0046] The middle segments 30 can include inner segments 38 and twobridge segments 39.

[0047] Inner segments 38 typically form the majority of the overalllength of the barrier 10. Inner segments 38 can be added to or removedfrom the barrier 10 to increase or decrease, respectively, the length ofthe barrier. The inner segments 38 preferably have a width W of twelveinches, a depth D of three quarter inches, and a height H of thirty sixinches (see FIGS. 5 to 7). The inner segments 38 preferably include arelatively large information display area 36. The information displayarea 36 can have dimensions of, for example, six inches high by nineinches wide. The information display areas 36 make the barrier 10 highlynoticeable. Information also could be displayed on the cross members 32.

[0048] Each bridge segment 39 extends between a respective end segment20 and an inner segment 38. The bridge segments 39 can have the samedimensions as the inner segments 38, except the width W of a bridgesegment 39 preferably is one half that of an inner segment 38.

[0049] The positioning mechanism 40 (see FIG. 11) is provided to holdthe bridge segment 39 in the open position. The positioning mechanism 40can include a projection 41 extending from the bridge segment 39 thatengages with a detent 42 provided in the corresponding end segment 20,as shown in FIG. 11. The positioning mechanism 40 can be configured tohold the bridge segment 39 at any desired angle relative to the endsegment 20, but preferably it maintains the bridge segment 39substantially perpendicular (i.e., at an angle of 90 degrees) to thecorresponding end segment 20.

[0050] This configuration can provide a stable barrier that can beexpanded to a large length for use yet contracted to a small length forstorage. In particular, the middle segments 30 can be contracted to aclosed position in which the widthwise directions of the middle segments30 are substantially parallel to the widthwise directions of the endsegments 20, as shown in FIG. 5. In the contracted position, the middlesegments 30 have a length L1, which is substantially the sum of thedepths of the middle segments 30. The middle segments 30 also can expandto an open position in which the widthwise direction of at least one,and preferably all, of the middle segments 30 is substantiallyperpendicular to the widthwise direction of the end segments 20, asshown in FIG. 3. In the expanded position, the middle segments 30 have alength L2, which is substantially the sum of the widths of the middlesegments 30. As shown, there can be large difference between the lengthin the expanded or use position and the length in the contracted orstorage position.

[0051] The middle segments 30 of the barrier 10 can extend in arelatively straight line. To facilitate closing of the barrier 10,preferably each middle segment 30 has a stop spacer 37 (see FIG. 3A)that causes the segments 30 to be offset by a minimum angle of aboutthree to five degrees relative to one another (i.e., the segments willbe offset about three to five degrees relative to a straight lineextending between the end segments 20). This offset allows the barrier10 to close smoothly without locking up, as might occur if the middlesegments 30 were completely aligned. The offset starts the middlesegments toward the closed position.

[0052] Rolling members 50 are preferably provided on the end segments20. The rolling members 50 can be, for example, wheels mounted to theend segments 20. The rolling members 50 are preferably mounted by anaxle 51 that extends through a plate 52 and is fixed to the end segment20. The stability of the rolling member 50 is improved when it istrapped between the plate 52 and ribs 26 on the end segment 20.

[0053] The barrier 10 can be pivoted about the rolling members 50between a rest position in which the end segments 20 contact the groundand a portable position in which the rolling members 50 engage theground. The rolling members 50 are preferably approximately level withthe bottom of the barrier 10 when the bottoms of the end segments 20 areresting on the ground, as shown in FIG. 1. When the folded barrier 10 istilted backwards, as shown in FIG. 9, the rolling members 50 willsupport it. The barrier 10 can then be pushed or pulled for transport,as shown in FIG. 20.

[0054] An elongated securing member 60, such as a rubber band or bungeecord can be attached to the barrier 10 to hold it in the contractedposition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, the securing membercan be fit through a holding member 61 (see FIG. 12), such as a slot, inthe end segment 20 and wrapped around the segments and affixed toanother a holding member 61 in the other end segment 20. Each holdingmember 61 is preferably configured to hold the elongated securing member60 even when it is loosely hanging from only one holding member 61.

[0055] The barrier 10 of the present invention can be configured toprovide a highly stable barrier. By positioning the middle segments 30substantially perpendicular to the end segments 20, the stability of thebarrier is improved. Of course, stability is also enhanced if only thebridge segments 39 are perpendicular to the respective end segments 20,and the inner segments 38 are formed in a curved or other configuration.Additionally, the middle segments 30 can be configured to touch theground when in the expanded position, which further improves stability.

[0056] FIGS. 13 to 21 show a second preferred embodiment of anexpandable barrier 110 according to the present invention. In thisembodiment, the barrier includes segments 120 and rolling members 150.The barrier 110 can move between an expanded position shown in FIGS. 13and 14 and a contracted position shown in FIGS. 15 to 17.

[0057] The segments 120 preferably include a plurality of first segments130 and a plurality of second segments 140. The different segments arealternated in this embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 18, each first segment 130 preferably includes aperipheral member 131 extending around the periphery of the firstsegment 130, an inner member 135, cross members 132, and openingsbetween the cross members 132. Alternatively, the areas corresponding tothe openings can be closed, i.e., filled with material. If those areasare closed, they preferably are recessed, i.e., they have a lesserthickness than surrounding portions of the first segment 130, toincrease rigidity. A handle portion 134 can be provided at each side ofthe first segment 130, as shown, or at other locations, such as the top.The peripheral member 131, inner member 135, cross members 132, andhandle portions 134 are preferably hollow, plastic members that are allformed as one integral member. The end segments 130 can be manufacturedby conventional processes, such as high or low pressure injectionmolding or blow molding.

[0059] Each first segment 130 preferably includes a relatively largeinformation display area 133. The information display area 133 can havedimensions of, for example, ten inches high by fourteen inches wide.This area 133 can be used, for example, to display warning information,such as “CAUTION” or “DO NOT ENTER.” Information also could be displayedon the inner member 135 or the cross members 132.

[0060] Each first segment 130 has a width W, a depth D, and a height H(see FIGS. 17 and 18). Preferably, the width W is forty-eight inches,the depth D is two inches, and the height H is thirty-four inches(between the bottom and the top of the first segment). The rollingmembers 150 in this preferred embodiment add an additional five inchesof height.

[0061] The second segments 140 can be located between the first segments130. As shown in FIG. 19, each second segment 140 preferably includes aperipheral member 141 extending around the periphery of the secondsegment 140, an inner member 145, cross members 142, and openingsbetween the cross members 142. The areas corresponding to the openings,however, can be closed, i.e., filled with material. If those areas areclosed, they preferably are recessed, i.e., they have a lesser thicknessthan surrounding portions of the second segment 140, to increaserigidity. The peripheral member 141, inner member 145, and cross members142 are preferably hollow, plastic members that are all formed as oneintegral member. The second segments 140 can be manufactured byconventional processes, such as high or low pressure injection moldingor blow molding. Signs or other information display areas (not shown)can be attached to the second segment 140. Information also could bedisplayed on the inner member 145 or the cross members 142.

[0062] The first and second segments 130, 140 are preferably connectedto each other by hinge structures 160. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, thehinge structures 160 can include a rod 161, rod receivers 136 on thefirst segment 130, and a rod receiver 146 on the second segment 140. Therod receiver 136 can be a hole formed in the handle portion 134 of thefirst segment 130. The rod receivers 146 can be living hinge structuresthat close on the rod 161. A bolt 163 can extend through one portion ofthe living hinge structure, through the rod 161, through another portionof the living hinge structure, and mate with a nut 164 (not shown inFIG. 20).

[0063] The hinge structures 160 are configured to permit the first andsecond segments 130, 140 to expand and contract by an accordion fold.This allows for great flexibility of the barrier 10. This configurationcan provide a barrier that can be expanded to a large length for use yetcontracted to a small length for storage. In particular, the first andsecond segments can be contracted to a closed position in which theirwidthwise directions are substantially parallel to one another, as shownin FIG. 17. The folding of the segments is facilitated by the structureof the rod receivers 146 of the second segments 140. In particular, asshown in FIG. 17, the rod receivers 146 have an arc like structure thatpermits nesting of the segments. In the contracted position, the firstand second segments 130, 140 have a length L1, which is substantiallythe sum of the depths of the first and second segments 130, 140. Thefirst and second segments 130, 140 also can expand to an open positionin which they are arranged in a line. In such an expanded position, thefirst and second segments 130, 140 have a length L2 (see FIG. 14), whichis substantially the sum of the widths of the first and second segments130, 140. As shown, there can be large difference between the length inthe expanded or use position and the length in the contracted or storageposition.

[0064] Rolling members 150 are preferably provided on the first segments130 disposed at opposing ends of the barrier 110, and on some of therods 161. The rolling members 150 can be, for example, casters. Therolling members 150 are positioned such that they will not interferewhen the segments are in the contracted position.

[0065] An elongated securing member 170, such as a strap with Velcro,can be attached to the barrier 110 to hold it in the contractedposition, as shown in FIG. 15. For example, the securing member 170 canbe attached to a handle portion 134 and wrapped around the segments andaffixed to itself.

[0066] Both of the above-described barriers 10 and 110 of the presentinvention can be configured facilitate storage. The barriers 10, 110 canexpand to large lengths for use, yet contract to small lengths forstorage.

[0067] The barricades 10 and 110 also can be configured to facilitatetransport. For example, the barricades 10, 110 have rolling members 50,150, which dispense with the need for a cart or truck to move barricadesegments. Moreover, all segments of the barricades 10, 110 can be movedsimultaneously because the barricades contract to relatively smallconfigurations. The barricade 10 is particularly advantageous becauseits configuration allows the barricade 10 to move to the position shownin FIG. 9 for transport, which makes it relatively easy to pull thebarricade 10 over bumps or thresholds. Additionally, as the barricade 10is moved to the position shown in FIG. 9, its center of gravity islowered and it thus becomes less prone to tipping.

[0068] Additionally, both of the above-described barriers 10 and 110 canbe configured to facilitate the display of information, whilemaintaining the ability to easily store and transport the barrier. Forexample, as the segments 30, 120 are expanded to the open position, moreof the information display surfaces 36, 133 become visible.Additionally, the height of the segments 30, 120 remains substantiallythe same as the segments 30, 120 are expanded to the open position. Eachof those characteristics can make the barriers highly visible.

[0069] The barriers 10, 110 of the present invention also can beadaptable to a particular user's needs, i.e., the concept can bemodular. For example, if a user of a barrier 10, 110 having foursegments 30, 120 wants to encompass a larger area, the user may purchaseas many additional segments 30, 120 as necessary, and connect them tothe original four segments 30, 120. This allows the user to purchase thebarrier at a selected length and add more segments at a later time inresponse to changing needs. Additionally, multiple barriers 10, 120 canbe fastened together, e.g., by using the securing member 60, 170 tocreate a single, larger barrier.

[0070] Additionally, the barriers 10, 110 can be set in almost anydesired position for use. The segments 30, 120 can be fully extendeduntil they are in a straight line, but they do not have to be fullyexpanded. They can be only partially expanded or arranged in anon-linear configuration.

[0071] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An expandable barrier comprising: a first endsegment having a widthwise direction; and a plurality of middle segmentseach having a widthwise direction and being connected so as to expand toan open position in which the widthwise direction of at least one of themiddle segments is substantially perpendicular to the widthwisedirection of the end segment and contract to a closed position in whichthe widthwise directions of the middle segments are substantiallyparallel to the widthwise direction of the first end segment.
 2. Theexpandable barrier of claim 1, wherein the first end segment includes aninformation display surface.
 3. The expandable barrier of claim 1,wherein the first end segment includes a handle portion.
 4. Theexpandable barrier of claim 1, further comprising an elongated securingmember configured to fasten the plurality of middle segments in theclosed position, wherein the first end segment includes a holding memberfor receiving the securing member.
 5. The expandable barrier of claim 1,further comprising a second end segment, wherein the middle segments aredisposed between the first and second end segments.
 6. The expandablebarrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of middle segments areconnected so as to contract by an accordion fold to the closed position.7. The expandable barrier of claim 1, wherein at least one of theplurality of middle segments is a bridge segment connected to amid-portion of the first end segment and connected to an end portion ofan adjacent middle segment.
 8. The expandable barrier of claim 7,wherein a width of the bridge segment is approximately one half of awidth of the adjacent middle segment.
 9. The expandable barrier of claim7, further comprising a positioning mechanism configured to maintain thebridge segment at a position substantially perpendicular to the firstend segment.
 10. The expandable barrier of claim 1, further comprising arolling member positioned on the first end segment such that duringtransport of the barrier the rolling member engages a surface supportingthe barrier.
 11. The expandable barrier of claim 10, wherein the rollingmember is a wheel and the first end segment further comprises a platemember disposed on one side of the wheel to trap the wheel againstanother portion of the first end segment.
 12. An expandable barriercomprising: a plurality of segments connected so as to expand to an openposition and contract to a closed position; and an information displaysurface on at least one of the segments, wherein the segments areconnected such that more of the information display surface becomesvisible as the segments are expanded to the open position; and a rollingmember connected to at least one of the plurality of segments such thatduring transport of the barrier the rolling member engages a surfacesupporting the barrier.
 13. The expandable barrier of claim 12, furthercomprising an elongated securing member configured to fasten theplurality of segments in the closed position, wherein at least one ofthe segments includes a holding member for receiving the securingmember.
 14. The expandable barrier of claim 12, wherein the plurality ofsegments are connected so as to contract by an accordion fold to theclosed position.
 15. The expandable barrier of claim 12, wherein therolling member is a wheel, the wheel is positioned on the segment, andthe segment on which the wheel is positioned further comprises a platemember disposed on one side of the wheel to trap the wheel againstanother portion of the segment.
 16. The expandable barrier of claim 12,further comprising a plurality of rolling members positioned oncorresponding segments such that during transport of the barrier therolling members engage a surface supporting the barrier.
 17. Theexpandable barrier of claim 16, wherein positions of the rolling memberson the segments are offset such that the rolling members do not engageone another when the segments are in the closed position.
 18. Aportable, expandable barrier comprising: a plurality of segmentsconnected so as to expand to an open position and contract to a closedposition; and a rolling member connected to at least one of theplurality of segments such that the segments can pivot about the rollingmember between a rest position in which at least a portion of at leastone of the segments engages a surface supporting the barrier, and aportable position in which the rolling member engages the surface. 19.The portable, expandable barrier of claim 18, wherein the rolling memberis connected to a first end region of a bottom portion of the at leastone segment, and the portion of the at least one segment that engagesthe surface is at disposed at a second end region of the bottom portionof the at least one segment.
 20. The expandable barrier of claim 18,further comprising an elongated securing member configured to fasten theplurality of segments in the closed position.
 21. The expandable barrierof claim 18, wherein the plurality of segments are connected so as tocontract by an accordion fold to the closed position.
 22. The expandablebarrier of claim 18, wherein the rolling member is a wheel, the wheel ispositioned on the segment, and the segment on which the wheel ispositioned further comprises a plate member disposed on one side of thewheel to trap the wheel against another portion of the segment.
 23. Theexpandable barrier of claim 18, further comprising a plurality ofrolling members positioned on corresponding segments such that duringtransport of the barrier the rolling members engage a surface supportingthe barrier.
 24. The expandable barrier of claim 23, wherein positionsof the rolling members on the segments are offset such that the rollingmembers do not engage one another when the middle segments are in theclosed position.
 25. A portable, expandable barrier comprising: aplurality of segments each having a depth and a width, the segmentsbeing connected so as to expand to an open position in which a length ofthe segments is substantially a sum of the widths of the segments, andto contract to a closed position in which a length of the segments issubstantially a sum of the depths of the segments; and a rolling memberconnected to the segments such that during transport of the barrier therolling member engages a surface supporting the barrier.
 26. Theexpandable barrier of claim 25, wherein the width of a segment is atleast four times the depth of the segment.
 27. The expandable barrier ofclaim 25, further comprising an elongated securing member configured tofasten the plurality of segments in the closed position.
 28. Theexpandable barrier of claim 25, wherein the plurality of segments areconnected so as to contract by an accordion fold to the closed position.29. The expandable barrier of claim 25, wherein the rolling member is awheel, the wheel is positioned on the segment, and the segment on whichthe wheel is positioned further comprises a plate member disposed on oneside of the wheel to trap the wheel against another portion of thesegment.
 30. The expandable barrier of claim 25, further comprising aplurality of rolling members positioned on corresponding segments suchthat during transport of the barrier the rolling members engage asurface supporting the barrier.
 31. The expandable barrier of claim 30,wherein positions of the rolling members on the segments are offset suchthat the rolling members do not engage one another when the segments arein the closed position.
 32. A portable, expandable barrier comprising aplurality of segments connected so as to expand to an open position andcontract to a closed position, each of the segments having a heightdimension defined between a top and a bottom of the segment, wherein thesegments have substantially the same height in the open and closedpositions; an information display surface on at least one of thesegments; and a rolling member connected to at least one of the segmentssuch that during transport of the barrier the rolling member engages asurface supporting the barrier.
 33. The expandable barrier of claim 32,further comprising an elongated securing member configured to fasten theplurality of segments in the closed position.
 34. The expandable barrierof claim 32, wherein the plurality of segments are connected so as tocontract by an accordion fold to the closed position.
 35. The expandablebarrier of claim 32, wherein the rolling member is a wheel, the wheel ispositioned on the segment, and the segment on which the wheel ispositioned further comprises a plate member disposed on one side of thewheel to trap the wheel against another portion of the segment.
 36. Theexpandable barrier of claim 32, further comprising a plurality ofrolling members positioned on corresponding segments such that duringtransport of the barrier the rolling members engage a surface supportingthe barrier.
 37. The expandable barrier of claim 36, wherein positionsof the rolling members on the segments are offset such that the rollingmembers do not engage one another when the segments are in the closedposition.
 38. An expandable barrier comprising: first and second endsegments; a rolling member positioned on at least one of the first andsecond end segments such that during transport of the barrier therolling member engages a surface supporting the barrier; and a pluralityof middle segments disposed between the first and second end segmentsand connected so as to expand to an open position and contract to aclosed position, wherein the middle segments are configured to engagethe surface when in the open position.
 39. The expandable barrier ofclaim 38, wherein the first end segment includes an information displaysurface.
 40. The expandable barrier of claim 38, wherein the first endsegment includes a handle portion.
 41. The expandable barrier of claim38, further comprising an elongated securing member configured to fastenthe plurality of middle segments in the closed position.
 42. Theexpandable barrier of claim 38, wherein the plurality of middle segmentsare connected so as to contract by an accordion fold to the closedposition.
 43. The expandable barrier of claim 38, wherein at least oneof the plurality of middle segments is a bridge segment connected to amid-portion of the first end segment and connected to an end portion ofan adjacent middle segment.
 44. The expandable barrier of claim 43,wherein a width of the bridge segment is approximately one half of awidth of the adjacent middle segment.
 45. The expandable barrier ofclaim 44, further comprising a positioning mechanism configured tomaintain the bridge segment at a position substantially perpendicular tothe first end segment.
 46. The expandable barrier of claim 38, whereinthe rolling member is a wheel and the at least one of first and secondend segments on which the wheel is positioned further comprises a platemember disposed on one side of the wheel to trap the wheel againstanother portion of that segment.